PP or Driver Assist.

[moonie]

I'm torn. I will be in the market for a new SHO to replace my 2011 SHO base model (only option was 20" tires) that I purchased used in feb 2011. I am not sure which I want, the performance package or the driver assist package.

I thought I wanted PP but have been thinking the adaptive cruise control would be a nice option to have. This SHO will be fully loaded except the sun roof, no interest in that option.

Give me opinions, not specs, I know the specs.

 

[gbriank]

PP. Larger brakes, larger transmission cooler, etc. Here in Dallas traffic, having the larger brakes to deal with bumper-to-bumper traffic is a huge plus. Having the extra radiator is welcome for the summer temps exceeding 100 degrees. If memory serves, the tires that come with the non-pp are grand touring tires (MXM's).

 

[rubydist]

If you drive on the freeway with the cruise control on, it will take you about a minute to fall in love with adaptive cruise control. Its like your garage door opener - you could live without it but why would you?

 

[xduxjc]

It all comes down to personal preference. I think adaptive cruise control it too conservative and it drives me nuts the space it leaves between the car in front. Not that it should let you tailgate, but I think it is too far.

PP seemed a lot nicer to me compared to just having some electronic goodies that I am not sure that I would use. The only hangup for me is that the PP comes with summer tires so there is the additional expense if you live somewhere that you experience winter. I just purchased mine on Saturday and have to put new tires on this week.

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

Personally I would rather have the 401A and keep the moon roof. The P/P is n ice for track person but for all its worth I tend to prefer my spare tire. The DAP adaptive Cruise and Active Park Assist is nice but I honestly believe it promotes future lack of attention to driving. Call me old school but I drive the car not the car drive me. I am all for technology as assist but I think too many people are using it as a crutch and forgetting basic driving skills.

Of the two I guess P/P at least there is some track enjoyability. I also think the P/P is the cheaper of the two if I remember correctly.

The Moonroof is a pretty popular option especially for the SHO. I am not saying you can't get one without but that could be a rear one. A true NON loaded SHO may exist on paper but practical side is very rare. 2015 made the machined Aluminum (Flower Petal) wheels standard so you got that going for you.

 

[r1crusher]

I'll throw a wrench into the works for you....

Why not wait to see what the '17 Fusion Sport has to offer? It appears to be a somewhat suitable replacement for the SHO since it's going away.

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

Hate to say by to SHO but the 217 Fusion Sport sounds promising. I will go with crusher on that one.

 

[Barry Raymond]

I've gotten used to a big car and can't go back. The new Lincoln Continental would be my next ride in five years or so.

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

I can see that......Everythings Bigger in Texas.

 

[moonie]

If I wanted to go smaller I'd get a gt350 mustang, I do not. I love my SHO I just want more options. I need the room as I have 8 kids, 14 to 28 and 2 very large dogs that I will have to take in the car occasionally (100lb+).

I also have 10 grandchildren and have had a back seat full of them before, with car seats.

I have no interest in a fusion anything.

 

[OmaHahn]

I've gotten used to a big car and can't go back. The new Lincoln Continental would be my next ride in five years or so.

Make sure you put the bull horns on the hood!!

 

[OmaHahn]

It all comes down to personal preference. I think adaptive cruise control it too conservative and it drives me nuts the space it leaves between the car in front. Not that it should let you tailgate, but I think it is too far.

PP seemed a lot nicer to me compared to just having some electronic goodies that I am not sure that I would use. The only hangup for me is that the PP comes with summer tires so there is the additional expense if you live somewhere that you experience winter. I just purchased mine on Saturday and have to put new tires on this week.

I had to do the same! I installed General GMax tires - made by Continental so it's a great tire and they have a cool, aggressive tread pattern!

 

[Barry Raymond]

Make sure you put the bull horns on the hood!!

My pervious car was a 2001 volvo S80, which was pretty big. I still have my crew cab F250 and Wrangler Unlimted Rubicon. I had a mazdaspeed3 for a couple years and really enjoyed it though. The main problem with small performance cars is that they cannot be driven under the speed limit. Even though the SHO accelerates faster than the speed3 its big and nice and comfortable at the speed limit. The Mazdaspeed3 screamed at you to do stupid stuff. I needed to trade it before i ended up in jail or started dropping big $$$ on mods. It also didn't help that the rear seats had no leg room for the kids. The performance pack makes the sho feel more like the mazda so i had to have it.

 

[SilverSH0]

For me the ACC, actual spare, slightly softer ride, and all season tires caused me to pick the driver assist.

It's not necessarily the right choice for everyone but for me it was. I bought the car as a trip vehicle with a nice ride. Since I take it far away for long trips, the spare tire is an extra piece of mind and the softer suspension is better for cruising. Then the ACC was a no brainer for a trip vehicle. The other part is that I can upgrade the brakes cheaper than buying a second set of winter tires/rims.

There's always the advantage of the PP with the extra coolers but for me that wasn't as important. If I drove my car hard more often, then it would be more important. For the occasional spirited driving, I felt it less important. Bottom line, it's going to depend on how you intend to drive your car.

 

[rubydist]

It all comes down to personal preference. I think adaptive cruise control it too conservative and it drives me nuts the space it leaves between the car in front. Not that it should let you tailgate, but I think it is too far.

PP seemed a lot nicer to me compared to just having some electronic goodies that I am not sure that I would use. The only hangup for me is that the PP comes with summer tires so there is the additional expense if you live somewhere that you experience winter. I just purchased mine on Saturday and have to put new tires on this week.

The gap is adjustable - if you want to be right on the next's guys rear end, you can be.

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

The Trans cooler would be the major benefit for me of the P/P. Although you can never tell if or when you will get a flat and as much as I dislike the mini spare I dislike the NO spare even more. Thumbs down to Ford for not making the spare tire well deep enough to fit the size tire of that vehicle. I am not talking about free I would be willing to have a reasonable price to have the satisfaction of a full size spare tire. The idea of hanging along the roadside for even five minutes along the interstate in the hot Texas sun or interstate in any other location waiting for Roadside Assist does not give me a good feeling especially seeing how other people drive.

 

[SHOdded]

I believe you CAN fit a full size spare if you air it down some. Would still need to keep an inflator handy tho.

 

[gbriank]

I believe you CAN fit a full size spare if you air it down some. Would still need to keep an inflator handy tho.

Posted about this. Yes, a full sized tire and wheel (20") will fit in the spare tire well.

 

[Druseph T. Justice]

I'd go PP. Only because you can then tell people you have a 12' long 4,000lb PP.

But seriously. Between actually making it a better car and making the driver capable of being lazier. I'd choose PP.

 

[ridered74]

I have not driven a PP, but my car has the adaptive cruise and I love it. When I set it to the lowest gap, it follows closely enough that it makes me nervous, so I usually leave it on the two dash gap most of the time. I really like that if someone cuts into my gap after passing me, my car does not slow down. It recognizes that the a_hole that cut in front of me is going faster and will quickly get out of my gap, and my car maintains the same speed. It's really nice just setting a speed and then not touching the gas or breaks most of the ride home from work.